Educational games and simulations are experiential exercises that transport students into another world. (Gregler, 2004) Games and simulations are the assistant to curriculum innovation they are used to assist with the student’s development in any and all subject areas. When designed well, both simulations and gaming environments can facilitate students’ learning of both specific so main knowledge and concepts, and several cognitive skills like pattern recognition, decision-making and problem-solving. (Gee, 2003)
Educational Benefits and Advantages
Educational strengths of using games and simulations include developing a variety of cognitive objectives, transferable process skills, student centered learning, initiative, creative thinking, effective objectives, sense of completion, and knowledge integration.(Ellington, Gordon & Fowlie, 1998)
Incorporating games and simulations into any classroom will provide many benefits to include: (Adams, 1973)
Allowing students to learn by doing: Interactive simulations provide a way for students to become active participants in the learning process and learn from their mistakes in a low-stakes, safe environment.
Keeping students engaged: Games and simulations can provide a valuable supplement to traditional instructional methods that keep students engaged and deliver course content to a wider variety of learning styles.
Expanding learning beyond the classroom: Games and simulations allow students to practice concepts and skills from any location
Teachers Role
Teachers need to address the way the games and simulations will be utilities and create a frame and structure of activities that will assist the students in their participation and expected outcomes.
A teacher’s role in facilitating a meaningful learning environment is important. However, teacher’s subject know-how, perceptive of pedagogy, familiar use of technology, and easy access to technology would supply considerably to games and simulations become used more frequently in the classroom.
The link above will connect you to an interactive game site for students
A key feature of educational games is the opportunity to apply subject matter knowledge in a new context.
Computer games embody good principles of learning and motive students by giving them the fitting level of challenges, wonder, control and vision to allow them to engage with critical thinking and us of their senses.
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Photo credit to skillastics via flickr.com
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Simulations
The key focus regarding simulations is that they are open-ended evolving situations with many interacting variables. The foal for all students is to each take a particular role, affects the issues, threats, or problems that arise in the situation and experience the effects of their decisions. (Gredler, 2004)
Simulations take a student in many directions and depending on how the student acts or reacts to the nature of the exercise will dictate the outcome of their learning experience.
The characteristics of a simulation are as follows: (Gredler, 2004)
An adequate model of the complex real-world situation with which the student interacts.
A defined role for each student with responsibilities and constraints.
A data rich environment that permits students to execute a range of strategies.
Feedback from student’s actions in the form of changes in the problem or situation.
Educational games and simulations are experiential exercises that transport students into another world. (Gregler, 2004) Games and simulations are the assistant to curriculum innovation they are used to assist with the student’s development in any and all subject areas. When designed well, both simulations and gaming environments can facilitate students’ learning of both specific so main knowledge and concepts, and several cognitive skills like pattern recognition, decision-making and problem-solving. (Gee, 2003)
Educational Benefits and Advantages
Educational strengths of using games and simulations include developing a variety of cognitive objectives, transferable process skills, student centered learning, initiative, creative thinking, effective objectives, sense of completion, and knowledge integration.(Ellington, Gordon & Fowlie, 1998)
Incorporating games and simulations into any classroom will provide many benefits to include: (Adams, 1973)
Allowing students to learn by doing: Interactive simulations provide a way for students to become active participants in the learning process and learn from their mistakes in a low-stakes, safe environment.
Keeping students engaged: Games and simulations can provide a valuable supplement to traditional instructional methods that keep students engaged and deliver course content to a wider variety of learning styles.
Expanding learning beyond the classroom: Games and simulations allow students to practice concepts and skills from any location
Teachers Role
Teachers need to address the way the games and simulations will be utilities and create a frame and structure of activities that will assist the students in their participation and expected outcomes.
A teacher’s role in facilitating a meaningful learning environment is important. However, teacher’s subject know-how, perceptive of pedagogy, familiar use of technology, and easy access to technology would supply considerably to games and simulations become used more frequently in the classroom.
Games
http://interactivesites.weebly.com/
The link above will connect you to an interactive game site for students
A key feature of educational games is the opportunity to apply subject matter knowledge in a new context.
Computer games embody good principles of learning and motive students by giving them the fitting level of challenges, wonder, control and vision to allow them to engage with critical thinking and us of their senses.
====
Simulations
The key focus regarding simulations is that they are open-ended evolving situations with many interacting variables. The foal for all students is to each take a particular role, affects the issues, threats, or problems that arise in the situation and experience the effects of their decisions. (Gredler, 2004)
Simulations take a student in many directions and depending on how the student acts or reacts to the nature of the exercise will dictate the outcome of their learning experience.
The characteristics of a simulation are as follows: (Gredler, 2004)
An adequate model of the complex real-world situation with which the student interacts.
A defined role for each student with responsibilities and constraints.
A data rich environment that permits students to execute a range of strategies.
Feedback from student’s actions in the form of changes in the problem or situation.
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